It’s hard to know whether you’re getting the “straight” news when it comes to Iraq these days… or anywhere for that matter. But there are moments when individual reporters and journalists seem to make an effort. And today there seems to be one of those moments.
Christopher Albrighton of Back to Iraq is confused by the reaction to his report on Fallujah 1 year after its’ seige:
So let me get this right: The anti-war left is mad at me because I don’t document stuff I didn’t see, and I’m supposed to take an Italian documentary’s word that “chemical weapons†were used… The Marines — well, a Marine — is mad at me because I didn’t toe the party line and talk up all the cool new democracy busting out.
I’m going to sleep well knowing that I didn’t follow anyone’s agenda but my own — which is to tell the best story I can. It’s too bad in some ways, though. I guess I won’t be invited to any organic juice parties in Berkeley or the new school repainting in Ramadi.
And what did he say about Fallujah… well read the Time article… and he also adds this, which didn’t make it into the piece.
Someone asked me if I had to “clear†this story with the U.S. military. No, I did not.
I was shown several things that were obviously pre-packaged media showcases, and I refused to write about them — with one exception. One such event was the delivery of supplies to the hospital. This was the first supply drop to the hospital since the invasion of November 2004 and it consisted of blankets and kerosine heaters. Nice enough, I suppose, but good equipment and medicine would have been better.
The Marine major who was providing security took me aside and apologized because, as he said, “I thought this was going to be something real.†His embarrassment was evident.
Obviously, I am much less balanced than Chris’ report… so if you want news you can trust.. or at least can be sure of the reporters intentions… then please check out the rest of his report.